Fortunately alot of e-commerce sites usually use alternative means to process credit cards and will be okay. Paypal and Google Checkout are up and running. Reports show that Authorize.net is partially back up and running.

Authorize.net has set up a twitter account to keep customers up to date. Follow Authorize.net on Twitter

Previously in, Chatting with The Professionals, I stated that I would setup a one on one with with Tony Hsieh and I did. He invited us to come and hang out at a Zappos function to learn about Culture.

Tony was very insightful and inspired many questions that I ended answering myself. For every question I asked, his reply was a question. I felt like I was talking to Yoda. He effectively had me answer my own questions while he was guiding me. After my lesson was done, we started talking to everybody about there position and passion. This really wasn’t hard because so many people came to us to talk with us and find out who we were. Zappos employees are definitely outgoing and fun to hang out with. We had a great night and a lot of drinks… Enjoy the video…

Once a reality I scoffed at and had not interest in, has now become an everyday reality. I had always thought, who would spend there day putting excerpts of there of there lives on a website for others to read. Then I decided to try it for myself to become more socially involved with the customers and individuals that we work with everyday. That’s when I got caught in the Twine of Twitter. Before I go one, Please tweet this blog if you feel kind. I want to add more followers. Follow me on Twitter - @BatteryMan. In turn I will follow you. Thank you!!

So does my previous statement make me a hypocrite?

It definitely sounds that way to me; however, I don’t believe that to be the case. I was misinformed on all of the benefits of using Twitter. It’s has all of the benefits of social networking without the trouble of writing long, thought consuming blogs like this one. By the time I am done it will probably have taken me at least a hour and half to write this from start to end. I type slow and change my mind to much..

What changed my mind?

I subscribed to a number of social network newsletters like SiteProNews and SEO News to help me stay update to date with the latest internet trends. Over the span of my subscriptions I have used a lot of there suggestion and one that I resisted using was Twitter to promote your business and yourself. I also subscribed to Wired magazine that always has great articles of people making significant advances in there fields. Once again, I noticed the mention of Twitter from such influential people like President Obama, Tony Hsieh from Zappos, Steve Jobs and so on. Determined now to build my Twitter community and new people, I have been reaching out with thoughts, information and personality.

Information is next to Godliness!

While the saying “He Who Has the Gold Makes the Rules” still remains true. I believe a new era is upon us and a wise man once said “If knowledge is power, then a god am I!” -The Riddler (Batman Forever). While that was pretty funny what I just said I do believe it to be true. Information of who we are, what we are and will become is the most important factor to growing as an individual and a company. That sounds a little strange so I will explain.

Simply put, if I capture the what people feel, think and want and in turn provided them with a little of that then I have succeeded as a business. Reaching out LISTENING, Responding and Reacting to individuals helps build trust between them and me. In a world of delusions it’s hard to trust people, companies or even a government. Our lives have become engulfed with new technologies but we are still slaves to our 5 senses and primal instinct that ultimately want to be satisfied. I’m not only trying to build a brand but Customer Relationships. Follow me

It wasn’t long ago I set a goal for myself to always keep my mind and heart healthy by maintaining a healthy diet and vigorous exercise regimen…but I’m not the biggest fan of working out. Listening to my iPhone during a workout is a MUST! Heart monitors have also been a popular accessory lately. Now, thanks to the SMHeart Link created by iTMP Technology, I can monitor my heart rate and incorporate my workout data into my iPhone!

Basically, SMHeart link is a wireless bridge device that allows the iPhone or iPod Touch to double as a heart rate monitor and a fitness tracking system. It works by collecting data through sensors (like the ones in workout machines) and then sends it to your iPhone or iPod Touch via Wi-Fi. Best of all, it’s small and compact measuring only 3.5in x 1.5in x 0.5in and weighing in at just 3 ounces so bringing it along with my jog is very convenient.

SMHeart Link works with several heart rate monitors (chest wraps) and also biking sensors to track speed, cadence and power (watts). Compatible equipment is available from companies such as Polar, Garmin, Nike, Reebok, Timex, New Balance and Numetrex. These sensors are sold separately but the large variety of retailers gives you several buying options.

The genius of iTMP Technology is that they have teamed up with New Leaf Fitness and Map My Fitness which allows me to upload the data logged by SMHeart Link wirelessly to my iPhone by using three apps that are now available in the App Store.

1. iRPM - a cardio fitness system and cycling computer that uploads information from the completed workouts to the New Leaf to MapMyFitness.

2. iSpinning - a cardio fitness system that enables you to log your fitness data and cardio exercises that are specially designed for iSpinning® enthusiasts.

3. iNewLeaf - a cardio fitness system and cycling computer that lets users incorporate a NewLeaf metabolic profile to more precisely track and monitor the right workout intensity.

Now I’ll always get the best training for my workouts and it couldn’t get any easier to store my workout data on my iPhone with a simple touch of a button. Not all of these apps are free and the SMHeart Link retails for about $155. For a limited time it is bundled with SMHeart Sleeve, a lightweight case that integrates with the heart monitor chest wrap.

So if you would like to keep your heart and mind healthy, try listening to your heart through your iPhone or iPod Touch!

The Internet is a man made digital universe. It has no beginning and no end. It has proven that it is self evolving with the ability to make nothing into something and reduce the something into nothing. It has no happiness, fears, sympathy or remorse, the internet simply “Is”.

“HUH?”, you say. The internet grows and evolves faster than anything in this world today. It gets smarter, bigger and faster than we can calculate. Knowing this I must seek out the best of the best and challenge them for knowledge so that I may merely keep my head above water gasping at what little air I can. I decided that to do this I would begin to try to get a hold of anyone that has notably made a mark on the folds of history with a significant contribution, idea or theory and interview them via Live Chat, Twitter, Messenger or whatever acceptable social media they desire. I will be posting these from time to time when I am able to.

Live Chat Interview w/ Darren of Zappos.com

I wanted to talk with someone with Zappos to find out if they lived up to the hype with all the buzz about them and how some of their policies work for them. I was very pleased to find out that it was all true and learned some interesting information that will help influence BatteriesInAFlashes’ decisions in the future. Lets see how it went.
Chat posted with permission.

What I learned from Zappos

Price is not the only deciding factor in selling a product. Values set and followed help maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t be afraid to be a little abnormal and push the envelope. So you can expect that we will be bringing you friendlier updated policies, a better website experience and fun media, blogs and more.

I still am currently seeking Tony for the one on one about what it takes to be “The Bees Knees”. So what do you say, Tony? Let’s have a sit down for lunch or a cup of coffee.

With Technology taking over in pretty much all aspects of life, its no surprise that books have lost there place in our world today. The enjoyment of curling up to a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa or glass of wine on a rainy day will soon be a thing of the past. Even the sound of the cracking from the binding of opening a new book and the touch the crisp pages of a book fresh from the press have lost there share of the market. Now I don’t know any statistics at the moment; however, I do know the Kindle, iPod and other eBook readers are becoming more prevalent with a huge market places like Amazon selling eBooks.

I am not opposed to change or technology as long as it is for the better. I had the pleasure of speaking with Monique Tilford, co-author of Your Money or Your Life. We spoke about another project that she is working on but it was a great to find her book on Amazon in an Kindle Edition. Which was a great reminder that because the shift to ebooks has begun that doesn’t mean that the quality of books has diminished. If you wanted to find out more about her book, check out her blog at Your Money Or Your Life.info

So what does this all of this have to BatteriesInAFlash? The Kindle battery has been a very hot seller for us and we have not been able to keep them on the shelves. We have literally sold out of the batteries the same day they arrive. The Kindle 2 has just been released (ironically the battery is unknown to us at the moment) and has been selling out as well.

Although, the Kindle is not alone in the world of eBooks. The iPod Nanos and above have the ability to load eBooks and the iPhone or iTouch have Apps that make eBooks possible and even Sony has the eBook Reader. So with all the options out there where do you stand?

Innovation or Renovation??

Lenmar is in the process of releasing a Universal Charging Station or PowerPort (PPUHUB6). It will be revealed to distributors and guests of the Las Vegas 2009 CES Show which is slated to win a CES 2009 Innovation Award, but does it deserve it?

The picture and spec sheet are all I have to work with in reviewing the PPUHUB6 and it appears to be a powered USB hub multiplied. Although not an entirely new concept, it is a better way to charge your devices. It will eliminate the need to find multiple power outlets to charge your cell phone, iPod, PSP and other USB toys.

What Does It Do?

Simply take your compatible cellphone, pda, iPhone/iPod or any USB device and plug them in simultaneously to charge. You can charge up to 6 devices at one time;
and of course, charging time will vary for each device. There is also a handy storage built into it for your tips so that you do not lose them.

What Can I Power With It?

The PowerPort comes ready to charge any USB chargeable device. It also come with tips to charge select Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and LG cell phones. As an added bonus there is a tip to charge you iPhone, iPod and iPod Touch. If you a Lenmar product user you are probably familiar with their Portable Power line which allows you to charge your devices on the go. Now you will be able to charge them as well as your phones and iPods. There are also other tips you can buy to add to it if your plug is not in the set provided.

Will I Use It?

Even though I said that it not truly a new idea it still is a stellar idea that I can use to help me free myself from 9 AC chargers for each device I use, and trust me I use a lot of different USB devices. Also it will help me from losing them if they are in one easy to use central location. What are your thoughts on the PowerPort?
Find out more about it at BatteriesInAFlash.com

Go Green, Save Green

With rising fuel prices, the cost of energy skyrocketing, and our current economic crisis, more and more people are turning to alternative sources of affordable energy. Solar energy is quickly becoming the country’s most prevalent source of power, not only for its efficiency, but also because it is eco-friendly. Through the use of solar panels, the sun’s energy can be harnessed to provide power for a variety of applications – everything from powering your television while camping to powering an entire home.

Ok….So How’s It Work?

The process of how solar panels work can be quite technical, but basically, solar panels capture and store energy produced by sunlight through the use of Photovoltaic cells (photo = light, voltaic = electricity). Depending on your needs, the energy collected from sunlight can be used to charge a lead acid battery for later usage, as a backup source of electrical power, or the energy can be transferred directly into a home for immediate use through an inverter. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by the sun’s energy to alternating current (AC), which is the type of electrical power used by power companies. The AC current travels from the inverter to the breaker box and can then be used as needed throughout the home.

What Can I Power With It?

There is a wide array of users who can benefit from implementing a solar power kit. Owners of RVs, boats, and electric scooters, for example, can connect solar panel kits to any rechargeable lead acid battery, which allows for continuous recharging of the battery during daylight hours. This provides greater security in knowing that there will always be a source of power available. Businesses can benefit tremendously as well by using solar panels to collect and store energy during the day and using that power at night. Depending on how large the solar power system, businesses can use that energy to power up their entire building or simply to light up their signs.

I Bet It’s Expensive, huh?

For those looking to invest in a complete home solar power system, the average cost of installation is between $40,000 and $50,000 before any tax incentives or rebates from power companies are applied. Although many people may be turned off by the upfront cost of installing solar power systems, the government has taken great strides in making solar power more affordable for consumers. For instance, new federal tax credits go into effect January 1, 2009, raising the cap of residential rebates from $2,000 to $10,800. In addition, a typical residential solar electric system can pay for itself in just 8-12 years, not to mention, having a solar power system adds value to the home. Other incentives for installing solar power kits are offered by state governments and vary by state. For more information, please visit www.dsireusa.org.

It’s Getting Easier Bein’ Green

Powering your home and applications with solar energy is a fantastic way to contribute to the reduction of pollution and save money at the same time! For those who live in remote areas or participate in outdoor recreational activities, like camping or boating, solar power kits also provide a secure electricity supply. With increased fiscal support from the federal government and local power companies through tax credits and rebates, investing in a solar power kit is becoming much more affordable for everyone from the simple hobbyist to huge corporations who want to save on their electricity bills.

Convenience Runs On A Battery

As the first decade of the 21st century winds down we as a people find ourselves living a more and more mobile lifestyle. With so many people on the go, consumer electronic manufacturers have more than accommodated (if not antagonized) this lifestyle with a plethora of devices for everything from conveniently carrying entire libraries of music everywhere we go, to checking that urgent email while in an elevator, or guiding us turn by turn anywhere we need to go without ever getting lost. Think about it, how many things do you own that run on a battery? Let's face we are a society of convenience…and in today's society convenience runs on a battery.

New Battery or New Device?

Battery life is one of the least considerations consumers’ think of when buying that new device, primarily because it is the least area of focus companies’ use when marketing their new product. The effect is that consumers are left with a sour taste after buying that new device only to find that the battery simply does not last as long as it should. To add insult to injury they find that the company either charges an exorbitant amount for the battery (a large fraction of the cost of a new device) or if the device is more than a few years old they no longer even carry the battery for it. So what’s a consumer to do?

The Aftermarket Remedy

More and more consumers are turning to aftermarket batteries. Aftermarket batteries are simply OEM equivalent batteries designed to meet or exceed the original specifications at a fraction of the cost. Similar to comparing the active ingredients of a generic medicine to a name brand you will see they are identical in most cases and can cost as much as 60% less! Not only that, batteries for older more obsolescent devices are still in production by aftermarket battery manufacturers. However; the batteries for the “hot off the presses” devices are not immediately available as soon as the device hits store shelves.

Nice To Meet You

The way an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) battery works is that it must communicate with the battery to ensure compatibility. Basically the battery and the device (digital camera, camcorder, laptop, pda, mp3 player, ipod, cell phone, etc.) greet and “shake hands”. The device asks the battery a question and if the battery gets it right then you have power. This is the problem posed to aftermarket battery manufacturers. This “question” asked by the device and the “answer” from the battery is encrypted by the company making the battery, in effect, proprietary. So in order for an aftermarket battery maker to recreate the original battery, they must crack this code. This takes time depending on the complexity of the code (and the skill of its developers). Some batteries can be cracked and into the market within a year and some batteries could take up to two years to work around the code.

In The Meantime?

Ok so it could take awhile before an affordable, reasonably priced battery could be released for your device. What can you do in the meantime?

Do your research.
Read read read! Read everything you can from several sources about the battery performance and expected life span from people who have actually tested the devices BEFORE you make your purchase.

Take care of your battery.
While with the advent of Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) and NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries we no longer suffer from the incurable “memory effect” of NiCD (Nickel Cadmium), it is still wise to only charge your battery as needed by letting it drain as much as possible before charging and when charging let it charge fully before unplugging. Charging overnight is the best way. But be wary, leaving your battery on charge too long can have a devastating effect as well. A good rule of thumb is that a battery is good for about 500 charges before needing to be replaced.

Overcharging your battery can shorten the overall life of the battery, the life between charges, or cause the battery to overheat and burn up. When it’s fully charged, unplug it. Also, the car chargers that work from the cigarette lighter are a “rapid charge” which means it can give you a good amount of battery life in a short amount of time but if used as the primary charging method can also shorten the overall life of the battery. Hopefully with these tips your battery will last until the more affordable aftermarket version becomes available.

Do your part without trying

The buzz is definitely in the air and everyone is little by little becoming more eco-friendly and environmentally consiousness. I have been looking into what makes a difference and what will have a large impact in a short amount of time. We obviously know that electric cars are going to make an impact; the news, internet and every other commercial has told us that. Avel’s Law: Solve one problem, gain another(why not Murphy’s got one)! They still require large amounts of energy to recharge their batteries. Energy is a commodity believe it our not. Ask any Californian who has experienced rolling brownouts.

What do you mean: Power is a Commodity?

First of all New York, California, Michigan, Illinois and the list goes on, electricity isnt always the easiest to come by because of the brownouts and blackouts they experience regularly. Secondly, California’s electrical rates are going to take a 30% rate hike as well as the increasing rates in Arizona and Nevada. That is just listing the known problems off the top of my head. Hopefully you can see the pattern that is developing.

So whats the Scooter about?

An Electric Scooter requires minimal power comparatively to its distant cousin, the electric car. The scooters are street legal, require no registration, insurance or driver license to operate. They go about 30 mph depending on terrain and driving conditions. You can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge. They are safe for young kids with proper supervisions obviously.

The effects of reducing the use of a gas powered vehicle without buying a new hybrid or electric car is phenomenal. An electric scooter is an easy way to help with the environment. They come in all different sizes, colors, and styles; even the classic vespa.